Women's Soccer Announces Incoming Class

Aug 06, 2013

BOSTON, Mass.—With their start of their title defense less than a month away, the UMass Boston women's soccer staff announced their incoming recruiting class. The Beacons class of nine players will be looked upon to make an immediate impact, as UMass Boston looks to repeat after winning their first ever Little East Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships.

2013 UMass Boston Women's Soccer Recruiting Class

Name: Kaelyn DaCosta

Hometown: Brockton, Mass.

Height: 5'5"

Position: Outside Midfield/Back

High School: Brockton High School

Club Team: Blackhawks SC

Key Facts: Named a Big Three Conference All-Star as a junior … Participated in the Eastern Massachusetts Division I All-Star Game … Honored by the Brockton Enterprise with an All-Scholastic Award two years in a row … Was named to her school's honor roll … Fluent in four languages including Cape Verdean Creole and Brazilian Portugese.

Coach Zombeck: "Kaelyn is a skilled player who will be battling for an outside midfield or back position. She's a tough player who has good field vision."

Key Facts: Led the South Shore Select to a National Championship in 2008 and a runner-up finish in 2007 … Earned the U-16 and U-17 Scorpion Bowl Championship and U-17 MPS College Showcase Championships as part of the South Shore Select … Participated in the Massachusetts Olympic Development Program (ODP) in 2007 and 2008 … Named a captain at East Bridgewater High School as a junior and senior … Led East Bridgewater High School to two South Shore League Titles … Recognized as a two-time South Shore League All-Star … Honored as a 2012 Eastern Massachusetts All-Star.

Coach Zombeck: "Rachel is an extremely tough defender and skilled overall player, who will help fill a need at outside back."

Key Facts: Stony Brook University (Division I) transfer … Appeared in 12 games as a sophomore for the Seawolves … Led the Stars to six straight championships … Stars finished as Region I Finalists in 2009 and 2010 … Earned a varsity letter in track three times … Named to the All-Star Team twice … Member of the National Honor Society … Sister Alex played soccer at the University of Connecticut.

Coach Zombeck: "Ericka is a skilled outside midfielder who plays with great pace and can come in and make an immediate impact."

Key Facts: Four-year letterwinner in soccer and started on the varsity basketball team as well … Captained both squads as a senior … Methuen's team leader in scoring in from 2008-11 … 2011 Lawrence Eagle Tribune Player of the Year…Earned Merrimack Valley Conference honors in each of her four seasons, including winning the 2010 Golden Foot Award after tallying 22 points … Formerly a member of the New Hampshire Olympic Development (ODP) Team … Named to her high school's Honor Roll.

Coach Zombeck: "Alex is a very skilled player who will be a key player for us along the back. She looks to get into the attack from the outside back position."

Key Facts: Helped Holyoke Community College win the 2012 New England Championship … Named the captain and Most Valuable Player as a senior at Agawam High School … Led Agawam to a league championship in 2011 … Took home the 2011 U-18 Division I Maple Championship with Western United … Crowned a Gold Medal West Champion in the 2011 Bay State Games … Member of the National Honor Society from 2010-2012 … Named to the honor roll from 2009-2012.

Coach Zombeck: "Kara is a versatile, tenacious player who will see time in the midfield. She has good field vision and will be a terrific team player."

Key Facts: Played in two games as a sophomore at Franklin Pierce University (Division II) … Earned all-state honors in soccer during her junior and senior seasons … Four-year varsity player at Stevens High School … Member of the basketball and track team in high school … Recognized as a New Hampshire Scholar.

Coach Zombeck: "Arielle is a skilled player who can play outside midfielder or forward. She's especially strong taking on defenders and will play a role in our scoring attack."